IAEA Board of Governors
Agenda item 3: Strengthening of the Agency’s technical cooperation activities – Technical Cooperation Report for 2024
10 June 2025
Statement by H.E Ambassador Ian Biggs, Governor and Resident Representative of Australia to the IAEA
Thank you, Chair.
Australia commends the efforts of the Agency to promote the role of nuclear science and technology to address global challenges. Technical cooperation plays a critical role in social and economic development—especially in Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States—and Australia is pleased to see the important work being undertaken to increase nuclear science and technology capabilities, as set out in the Technical Cooperation Report for 2024.
Chair
We were pleased to see 39 Member States from Asia and the Pacific participate in the TC Programme, seven of which are Least Developed Countries, and a total of 223 national and 52 regional projects active in the region.
The Report for 2024 sets out that assistance in our region was predominately sought in the areas of health and nutrition, food and agriculture, and nuclear safety and security. We welcome the ongoing work through IAEA initiatives such as Rays of Hope, NUTEC Plastics, ZODIAC, and Atoms4Food, which assist Member States in overcoming some of the key challenges of our time.
Chair,
Australia was proud to be the largest in-kind contributor, and the fourth largest donor to the TC Programme in 2024.
Australia maintains its strong commitment to supporting Member States through the Technical Cooperation (TC) Programme, particularly through the Regional Cooperative Agreement [for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology for] Asia and the Pacific (RCA). The RCA has been an instrumental vehicle for building capacity in nuclear science and technology in our region for over 50 years. On this note, I congratulate Fiji for assuming the position of RCA Chair for 2025/2026, and for successfully hosting the 47th Meeting of National RCA Representatives two weeks ago. The meeting highlighted the benefits of the TC programme in Fiji, especially in increasing agricultural production.
Chair,
In the reporting period, Australia was pleased to host a range of training and events for our region, particularly through the Sub-Regional Approach to the Pacific Islands – SAPI – on cancer care, diagnostic imaging, radiation protection and addressing common challenges related to radiation safety infrastructure.
We look forward to continuing to work closely with Member States in our region and beyond to further promote the positive impact of nuclear science and technology.
Chair
Gender equality is essential for the ongoing success and beneficial impact of the TC programme. We welcome further efforts to ensure gender equality and the meaningful participation and leadership of women in all aspects of the TC programme.
Finally,
We note that the rate of attainment of payments to the Technical Cooperation Fund (TCF) in 2024 was slightly lower than in 2023, at 95 per cent. We commend all Member States who paid their target share in full and on time. Doing so ensures sufficient, assured and predictable funding for the TC Programme.
With these remarks, we take note of the Technical Cooperation Report for 2024.
Thank you, Chair.